Divergent – The first book in the trilogy

I have just finished reading the first book in the Divergent series, by Veronica Roth, and had to tell you all about it. I haven’t seen the film yet, so I didn’t know anything about the storyline. It sucked me in, took over my thoughts and I think this is the fastest I have finished a book in a while.

Don’t worry, after reading this you’ll just want to read the book even more! I won’t be spoiling any of the ending!

Veronica Roth is a 26 year old American Novelist and Short-Story Writer. The publishing rights for her first novel were sold before she even graduated from college in 2010! I think that’s incredible! The film rights were sold before the novel was printed in April 2011.

Divergent was the recipient of the Goodreads Favorite Book of 2011 and the 2012 winner for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction.

My best friend Ally was the one who told me I should read Divergent and really had to sell it in to me. I wasn’t overly sure – It’s nothing like the books I’ve been into recently which have all been multi-cultural and surrounding World War II. Divergent is aimed more at the young adult interested in fantasy, and although I love the Hunger Games, I wasn’t sure I was ready to go back to reading this style of book.

So here’s the blurb from the back:

“In a society divided into factions all are forced to choose where they belong. And the choice Beatrice Prior makes shocks everyone, including herself.

During extreme initiation tests, Tris must determine who her firiends are and whether she can trust the man who both threatens and protects her. Because Tris has a deadly secret. One that might save those she loves… or destroy her.”

Here’s a brief summary of the setting:

The story is set in a futuristic Chicago which is divided into five factions called Dauntless, Abnegation, Erudite, Amity, and Candor. Each faction is dedicated to cultivating a particular virtue in its members: bravery (Dauntless), selflessness (Abnegation), intelligence (Erudite), compassion (Amity), and honesty (Candor) – this sure does help to know, I kept flicking through the pages at the beginning to remember this. The virtues each faction cultures is because this is what that faction blames for war and the end of the world as we know it.

Beatrice, or Tris, grows up in Abnegation with her family, going to school with members of other factions but all staying true to their virtues. Upon turning 16, she and the others her age must decide whether to stay in their faction or move to another. They will then go through initiation for their chosen faction – anyone who does not make it through this time will be made factionless and join those in the rundown part of the city.

Don’t worry I’m not going to tell you which she chooses…you have to read it!

The Verdict:

When I first started reading Divergent, I wasn’t sure. Although I was intrigued, I kept trying to get a hang of the factions, flicking back and forth. It all seemed so mysterious – but the things is, it’s meant to be a little. It’s based in futursitic chicago, it’s a fantasy fiction novel, not a novel based around WWII. It soon all came together I understood the different factions, what each meant, what they supported, etc.

Then…that was it.

I was sucked in.

My thoughts were taken over, I was emotionally attached to characters in the story, I wanted to know what happened next, I didn’t want to put it down.

I couldn’t believe the way this book had me.

The way Veronica has written this novel is outstanding. The emotional attachment to characters which she builds, the description of the surroundings, the city, the atmosphere, and the way she builds relationships within the story are all done perfectly.

Some things in the story line you might be able to predict, there were a couple I did, but this was fine – I think you’re meant to be able to predict a little, it means you understand the character! But there were parts where I remember being like … WHAT?

If you liked the Hunger Games, I can assure you this will have you hooked! I can’t say whether it’s better or not as this wouldn’t be fair having read the entire Hunger Games Trilogy and only having read the first of the Divergent series. But it sure is AMAZING – I do think it had me hooked more than the first Hunger Games Book….

If there’s one book you read this christmas, I highly recommend this, if fantasy futuristic fiction is something you like. It’s only £3.50 on Amazon! Bargain christmas read, and you won’t regret it!

I hope you enjoy! I’ll be sure to fill you in once I’ve finished the trilogy. Intrigued to see if it keeps me hooked and whether it’s better than The Hunger Games overall! I can’t wait to start the second book!